Chapter IX - Summary

Lenina was mortified after all the queerness and horror she had undergone today and felt she deserved a holiday. She swalled six half-gramme tablets of soma at the rest-house and was in 'lunar eternity' after ten or so minutes. It would be about eighteen hours before she would awake again.

Bernard found it hard to fall asleep and was drawing up a plan for the days to come.

On the following morning, Bernard left to go to Santa Fé to do business and would return to Malphis long before Lenina would awake again. He asked the men to keep her safe and ended up at the World Controller's office. He discussed his plan of bringing the two 'savages' to London with him with Mustapha Mond who immeditately agreed that it would be sufficient scientific interest. He allowed Bernard the necessary permits and Bernard hurried off to the Warden of the Reservation's office to get all the necessary papers.

Bernard began to relax for his plane ride back to Malphis.

John was standing outside of the rest-house calling for Bernard. He tried to enter but found it locked and began to cry, thinking that Bernard had left him behind. John realized later that he should look through the window and he found out that he had not left at all, as Lenina's luggage was still there. He threw a rock through the window and climbed inside.

John opened Lenina's suitcase and was instantly hit with the scent of Lenina. His heart beat wildly as he examined her clothes with all the zippers and kissed a perfumed handkerchief. He opened a box and scented powder blew a cloud in his face. He rubbed it all over his self and felt as though it was her presence there with him.

He heard a noise and became guilty and startled. He quickly threw the things back into the suitcase and went to find out what the noise was. He found Lenina on the bed in a one-piece zippered undergarment fast asleep. He saw her as an angel and found himself recalling quotes from Shakespeare's plays about women's beauty such as the one about Juliet from Romeo and Juliet.

John wanted to touch Lenina's hand but felt entirely unworthy. He dropped his hand before it touched hers and kept thinking how beautiful she was. He thought about unzipping her undergarments but quickly removed the 'detestable thought' from his head. He was ashamed that he had such a thought.

Suddenly he heard a humming the air and realized that it was plane returning from wherever Bernard had sauntered off to. He quickly ran out through the open window and was in time to meet Bernard as he walked out of the plane.